New Delhi: Amid the speculation of a Russian invasion in Ukraine, the United States warned the eastern pole of dire consequences in case of a full-blown conflict.
“We are actively working to reach a diplomatic solution to de-escalate the crisis. Over the weekend, as you all know, the President spoke with President Putin, and we remain engaged with the Russian government in full coordination with our allies and partners,” White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters.
On the other hand, Russian troops are mounting on the Ukrainian border. However, the US asserts that Russian President Vladimir Putin is yet to decide whether to invade Ukraine or not.
According to a report by news agency AFP, Russia seems to be reducing military drills, but the US reasserts that the threat of a conflict is “more real than ever before.”
The views were echoed by Jean-Pierre in the press conference where she said that “they are in the window when an invasion could begin at any time.”
She assured the press that the US is ready for any situation. She noted that during the meeting between President Biden and Putin, the US President made it clear that in case Russia pursues an invasion on Ukraine, the United States, together with its allies and partners, will respond decisively and impose swift and severe costs on Russia.
She added that Biden reiterated that the Russian invasion in Ukraine would lead to widespread human suffering and diminish Russia’s standing.
Jean-Pierre also talked about the meeting between US President Joe Biden and British PM Boris Johnson in which they discussed the ongoing Ukrainian crisis.
An official statement by the White House said that the two leaders discussed the ongoing diplomatic and deterrence efforts in response to Russia's continued military build-up on Ukraine's borders and reaffirmed their support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also reiterated that the US is ready to act if Russia invades Ukraine. He said, “We're working closely with allies to mobilize robust international support for Ukraine, including a US-backed sovereign loan guarantee of up to $1 billion to support key reforms. It'll bolster Ukraine’s ability to deliver prosperity for its people.”